The Mississippi Humanities Council is committed to fostering the public’s understanding of historical, literary and philosophical perspectives on human experience. In the belief that learning about the past and interpreting the present will allow our society to provide a better future for everyone, the Council seeks to create and foster opportunities for the people of this state to understand themselves and others and to place their lives in the larger context of the human condition. A principal means of achieving this goal is awarding grants to nonprofit organizations which plan and sponsor humanities activities for the benefit of citizens throughout the state.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Grant Applications to MHC Now Require DUNS #
All organizations applying for Mississippi Humanities Council grants are now required to have a DUNS # (data universal numbering system). The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has adopted the use of DUNS numbers as a way to keep track of how federal grant money is dispersed. All grants awarded by the Mississippi Humanities Council are federal funds and therefore subject to the DUNS requirement. To learn more about the policy, you can read the Federal Registrar notice. If you are unsure of your number, visit http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform for more information.

The Council invites grant proposals that address one or more if four focus areas: Books and Reading, Mississippi History and Culture, Civil Discourse, and Capacity Building. Proposals which address these focus areas, as well the objectives below, will be given priority consideration:

• Developing a well-defined and clearly focused statewide humanities program in cooperation with organizations, institutions, and agencies;
• Assisting local and statewide organizations to plan and conduct public projects in the humanities;
• Encouraging scholars in the humanities to share their learning and insights in order to increase the public’s understanding of the humanities disciplines;
• Creating educational resources to extend the insights of the humanities to people of all ages;
• Providing public recognition for exemplary leadership which contributes to an understanding of cultural heritage and values;
• Helping citizens to understand better their roles in a democracy;
• Improving the quality of humanities education in the schools.

Minigrant (up to $1,500) deadlines are January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15.

Regular grant ($1,500-$7,500) deadlines are April 15 and September 15.